This is the second article in a series where I’ll name the best players to play in a grand final in each decade.
Today I’m focusing on the 1960s. You can read my article on the 1950s here.
The criteria I have used are:
- the player must have actually played in at least one grand final in the decade in question;
- a player is considered for selection in only one decade even if he played in grand finals in more than one decade; and
- the player’s form in the decade is taken into account.
Twelve teams played in the competition in the 1960s, with both Penrith and Cronulla-Sutherland joining the competition in 1967. Of those 12 teams, only seven played in a grand final at some point, with St George being the decade’s most dominant team, completing their 11-year run.
In the 1960s:
- St George won seven premierships;
- Souths won two premierships and were runners-up twice;
- Balmain won one premiership and were runners-up twice;
- Western Suburbs were runners-up three times; and
- Eastern Suburbs, Manly and Canterbury were each runners-up once.
Parramatta, Penrith, North Sydney, Cronulla and Newtown all failed to reach a grand final.
There were some wonderful players running around in the 1960s, and here’s my pick of the best of the best who made it to the biggest game of the year. All references to grand finals played relate only to this decade.
Fullback: Les Johns (Canterbury Bankstown)
Johns was a mercurial player and a New South Wales and Australian representative who played in one losing grand final. Other contenders for the No. 1 jersey were Keith Barnes from Balmain and Don Parish from Western Suburbs.
Wings: Johnny King (St George) and Peter Dimond (Western Suburbs)
Johnny King played in seven winning grand finals and scored a try in each except his last, in 1966. Peter Dimond was a brutal winger who played in three losing grand finals. Souths speedster Michael Cleary was unlucky to miss out.
Centres: Reg Gasnier (St George) and Graeme Langlands (St George)
Both rugby league Immortals, Gasnier played in six winning grand finals while Langlands played in four.
Reg Gasnier (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Five-eighth: Bob Fulton (Manly-Warringah)
A rugby league Immortal, Fulton captained Manly in their grand final loss to South Sydney in 1968.
Halfback: Arthur Summons (Western Suburbs)
A Western Suburbs legend, Summons played in three losing grand finals. He edges out Bobby Bugden and George Evans from St George and Balmain’s Dave Bolton.
Lock forward: Johnny Raper (St George)
A rugby league Immortal, Johnny Raper played in six winning grand finals.
Second row: Ron Coote (South Sydney) and Bob McCarthy (South Sydney)
Ron Coote played in four grand finals, winning two of them, while McCarthy terrorised the opposition defence in three grand finals, winning one. Elton Rasmussen from St George was also in contention.
Front row: Kevin Ryan (St George and Canterbury-Bankstown) and Arthur Beetson (Balmain)
Kevin Ryan was one of the toughest individuals to ever lace on a boot, and he played in seven winning grand finals for St George and one losing grand final for Canterbury-Bankstown.
Hooker: Ian Walsh (St George)
Ian Walsh played in four winning grand finals, including one as captain-coach.
Reserves
Elwyn Walters (South Sydney) was a hooker who played in three grand finals, winning two. Noel Kelly (Western Suburbs) was a renowned hard man and Australian representative who played in three losing grand finals. Kel O’Shea (Western Suburbs) champion forward who played in two losing grand finals. Bob Boland (Balmain) was a versatile forward who played in two losing grand finals.
Tony
Roar Guru
Can't argue mate
Albo
Roar Rookie
Some great names there, Tony. I would quibble with a couple of them. I reckon you might have tried to mix them up a bit with players other than Dragons who dominated till 1966. But I reckon Artie Beetson had little to do with 60's Grand Finals . He only played in one in 1966 and the Dragons smashed Balmain 23-4, and he missed the 1969 Tigers GF win when he was suspended after belting Bob Batty in the Prelim Final. I would be more inclined to include one of the Dragons props like Billy Wilson ( winning GF in 60, 61 & 62) or Monty Porter who won a couple too. The other one is the second rower Bob McCarthy , most famous for taking incepts out in the centres eg the 1967 GF. I would have a far better second rower like Elton Rassmussen ( GF winner 62, 63, 64, 65, 66) !
Leigh Peacock
Guest
Exactly mate! Simmsy was a Rugby League legend, amassing a record 50 points in the 1968 World Cup which still stands today! 265 points in a season for Souths in 1969 which still stands today! Greatest points scorer per match for Souths which still stands today. Greatest influence in changing the value of the field goal in 1971 from 2 points to 1 point, such was his skill! Should be a Hall of Famer!
Phil
Roar Rookie
This is off topic here but how about that team names Heaven's Xlll, deceased players from Norm Provan's era. 1. Clive Churchill 2.Eddie Lumsdon 3. Reg Gasnier 4. Graeme Langlands 5.Peter Dimond 6. Arthur Summons 7. Keith Holman 8. Noel Kelly 9. Ken Kearney 10. Billy Wilson 11. Kel O'Shea 12. Norm Provan - Captain/coach 13. Brian Clay
Tony
Roar Guru
:thumbup:
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
An entertaining concept, great work mate. Looking forward to you naming some Sharkies for the team of the 70's.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
@ Hard I reckon most decades have been dominated by 1 or 2 teams. 50's and 60's - Souths & Saints 70's - was really Manly's decade, although Easts, Souths and Saints scored doubles 80's - Parra and Canterbury 90's - Brisbane and Canberra Noughties was the most diverse - can't really claim 1 or 2 clubs dominated 10's - Easts and Melbourne 20's -? So really, people complaining that this year was a 3 horse race weren't saying anything new imho.
Tony
Roar Guru
Not much more needs to be said than A. Beetson :happy:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Ah, I missed him because there was no description. His name alone says it all. Good stuff mate.
Tony
Roar Guru
Unfortunately he can only be chosen in one decade :happy:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Beetson better be in your 70's team, Beathy. Or else.... :happy:
no one in particular
Roar Guru
How come they don't play rugby in Australian anymore?
Blue
Guest
To John .. I played rugby union for Blakehurst with Robert Stone as our captain .. remember well an all in brawl involving both sides and all the spectators. To Robert's defence he didn't start the fight but never backed away from one either.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Mick, that's about as good a summary of the tour selections as I've seen. Well done.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"If Author Tony does bump Eric Simms he will be in the respectable company of Clive Churchill." What? Did Tony leave out the "The Little Master" Clive Churchill? The FIRST Rugby League Immortal? Not happy, Tony!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"Eric Simms will get shafted ..." Ha! If Author Tony does bump Eric Simms he will be in the respectable company of Clive Churchill. :stoked: I wrote this here a little while back as a contribution to discussion on a current South Sydney character who has a high opinion of his important self, who continually confuses potential with demonstrated achievement. It is about a couple of Rabbitohs men who achieved mightily, proudly. "I rather enjoy the marvellous contrast of the outstanding manner of the champion backs I enjoyed at my beloved Souths as a young bloke - Eric Simms, the easiest most modest man you could meet and still a Club record holder; and his big mate Kevin Longbottom, another decent bloke, who was that good that when he played the Australian full back (Eric) had to move to the centres! Lummy died at just 45 - the saddest thing." A couple of good blokes
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Tony
Roar Guru
Great stuff Mick :thumbup:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'll take your word for it TB3. I started following the game in 1970. Simms kicked the last two-point field goal in the GF against Manly in 1970 and there wasn't another one for 51 years until Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds kicked a 40-metre two-point FG against the Broncos.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Simms was great but everyone was kicking field goals because there was a scrum every four tackles. Rather than lose the ball in a contested scrum you could kick a two point field and get the ball back. Also more scrums meant more scrum penalties blown by the referee Col Pearce, a Souths fan from way back according to Alan Clarkson. It was hard to tell what scrum penalties were for but Simms got a lot of goal kicking practice.